I was diagnosed on Sept 7, and I was to have WLE and lymph nodes removed on 2 Oct when the radiologist and specialist would be together. I was shocked as I had no symptoms but managed topull myself together to prepare mentally and physically. I have cleaned the house , the car done the washing bought the food arranged for my daughter to come up from Plymouth before she goes to Iraq, booked sick at work etc etc. October 1st at 4pm the specialist phoned me up and cancelled as it appears the radiologist is away. They cannot dot it till 16 Ocober. I was devastated! So I have another 2 weeks to wait and go through this preparation again. I cant go to the gym because I have cancelled it, I cant work because I cant concentrate. It is just the worst thing, and I wonder whether it is spreading as it will be 5 1/2 weeks since diagnosis and 8 weeks since 1st mammogram when it was discovered. Why me? Help!
Dear maisey
If you feel it would help to talk this over with one of our helpliners, please do feel free to give them a call.The helpline team can offer you further support and a ‘listening ear’ which may help you during this anxious time.The line opens at 9am and is open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and Saturday 9am-2pm on 0808 800 6000
Best wishes
Sam
Moderator
Breast Cancer Care ,
Hi Maisey
Its just awful, words will be of little comfort but I will try.
I have been through the same thing. When I was first diagnosed I was sent home on the day of the operation because the surgeon was ill.
For the following week I lived in a bubble, nothing could bring be round so I just stayed off work.
The 16th Of October will seem a lifetime away, I am truly sorry to hear this.
I reread my diary last night and at the entry of the cancellation I used words such as devestated, cheated and black mood.
I have had a recent recurrence and at the time was given a 6 week timeline for a ct scan and surgery. I was having none of that and became proactive. I can’t do a thing about what this cancer is doing to me but I feel I can control how I engage with my treatment. I phoned my consultant, wrote to the Hospital Trust and even got the CT Scan receptionist on side. I managed to get everything done and dusted within three weeks!
Can you be proactive, do you know the people to contact? You may not be able to get things bought forwards but I bet you will feel better for trying!.
I don’t think 8 weeks from diagnosis to treatment is too long, but I know this is of no help to you.
Go for it, you have nothing to lose.
Kindest regards
Carol
Thak you both Sam and Carol for your advice. Sam I think I will phone the helpline and see what they think. Carol, thank you for empathising with me and sorry you have been in a similar position. I spoke to my consultant and he says he is ready to operate but wants to work with the radiologist who did the biopsy as he knows where it is. I could have another radiologist and have it done now but he says it will be guess work. And my radiologist is away. I think basically there was a mix up as I originally had to wait 3 and 1/2 weeks as either one of them were away. The consultant says that he has a list of dates that the radiologist is away and this week was not on it. I get the impression if I was private it could be done earlier but possibly only a week anyway. I am not usually slow in coming forward and will take note of this for the future as you say. It really is not right that I should be in this position as I understand the National guidelines are that you should be operated on with 4 weeks of diagnosis. Anyway good luck for yourself. I hope your 3 weeks is nearly up.
Good wishes
Madeline
Hi Maisey
I was supposed to have my left mastectomy, axilliary node clearance and becker implant on 1 May this year. Lovely auspicious date I thought. But they forgot the implant and I ended up having the surgery on 22 May instead. It was fine. These things happen for a reason. Just try to be cool for the time you have before surgery. Sorry if this sounds simplistic. I was devasted at the time but really don’t think it made any difference physically to how I am now.
Much love and strength
Dilys
xxx
Hi Maisey
I had to wait 3 months while they phaffed around with my diagnosis saying it was a cyst from the 13th Nov 2006 til January 2007 eventually I had the op on Feb 10th 2007, luckily I didnt have lymphnode involvement, but the GP said it wouldnt make any difference waiting as you could have had it in you for months or years without even knowing it,not sure if that is fact or whether I was just being fobbed off…so try not to worry I know easier said than done…as I know all I wanted to do was get it out of me.
LOL & hugs
Pam
Hi Dilys and Pam
Thank you for your replies, it seems that this is not uncommon, and I am very sorry that you have both been through this as have others. Your words go some way to be reassuring and I will try to dwell on those rather than the negative thoughts I have, I just cant wait for the 16th, I never thought I could look forward to an operation so much!
Thank you
Madeline
Hi Madeline
I am glad to hear you are able to be proactive. It is such a shame there is still a delay in treatment.
Lets look forward to the 16th together as its the day I go back for the results of the grading.
Take care
Carol
best wishes for the 16th Maisey take it easy…stewing your brains as my partner puts it wont get you anywhere other than a huge headache…
lots of love
Pam
XXX
Hi Maisey
Really it will come in its time and it will be right for you. Enjoy your time before it happens. And really surgery isn’t so bad. I know how worrying it is but try bnot to waste your good time on it. You really will be fine my love
Dilys
xxx
Madeline/Maisey
How dreadful for you having to wait so long - I really thought you would be getting your results by now after your kind thoughts on my post. I will bookmark this page now so that I can find the thread to contact you properly.
I’ve never come across anyone else who spells their name the same as mine (Madeline) so we have another link other than the dreaded BC
Keep in touch
Best wishes
Love
MaddyW (Madeline)
Just to let you know I spoke to the Helpline and the Hospital and they are all horrified that this should happen. The hospital suggested I write and explain all and they are going to look into it. So I have done that. I dont expect anything to change for me, but I hope this does not happen to anyone else. I feel better to find out that the people in the know agree that this treatment is distressing and should not happen, so that has made me feel a bit better and not just being neurotic.
Maddy, lovely to share the same name, but sorry we share BC. How are things with you, I hope good. Thanks for kind thoughts.
Love
Madeline
Well done you Madeline (Maisey)
I hope the action can speed things up.
Just to let you all know that when I came home today at 5.30 pm, I had a call from the hospital to ask whether I could attend for my operation this Tuesday 9th October where I can have a bed for the Monday night and Tuesday night. I cant tell you how happy I feel to be going in earlier, I didnt think I could be happy about having a caner op! So to those of you who gave me advice and kind thoughts, thank you so much, because I think it might have been my letter tothe Chief Exec that has led to this change and my operation now being brought forward a week earlier. Will I be glad when this is all over with.
Love to you all.
Madeline
so Glad this has happened for you, it is the waiting that drives you crazy it makes you feel in limbo…best wishes for the op look forward to hearing from you afterwards
Love Pamela
So pleased for you. Hope it all goes really well.
God bless.
Christay
Hi Maisey,
Pleased to hear that your treatment has been brought forward ( I think!!!?*) - I’ve to go back for a further operation on Tuesday 9th - they didn’t get a wide enough margin first time round so need to take another chunk - if there’s enough left!.
As far as I know there’s no lymph node involvment with me so we won’t exactly be recovering from the same thing but I’ll definitely be thinking of you.
Working on the computer does allow you to exercise your arm after the op and being on this site helps when you feel low - trust me, it happens!
Take care
Every good wish for Tuesday
MaddyW